soccer – USA Today High School Sports

Lansing Catholic’s Remy Collard controls the ball in front of Williamston’s Patrick Schuster Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Lansing, Mich. Collard scored the Cougars’ lone goal in the matchup, and it was voted the LSJ high school video of the week.

Last week’s goal against Williamston was a rarity for Lansing Catholic boys soccer senior Remy Collard.

The right-footed Collard connected on a 20-plus-yard shot with his non-dominant foot in his team’s district semifinals victory over the Division 3 No. 5-ranked Hornets. The senior’s score was the game-tying goal, and the No. 13-ranked Cougars went on to win the match, 2-1 (4-2 on penalty kicks), in a penalty-kick shootout.

The goal was voted the LSJ high school video of the week.

“I usually don’t make it with my left foot,” said Collard, who also converted in the penalty-kick shootout. “It was definitely the best shot I’ve taken with my left foot.

“Right when it went in, all of my adrenaline started running through me. I ran to the bench to high five with everyone because I was pretty excited that we scored.”

View video “Williamstom (District Semi-Finals)”

Things have continued to get better for Collard and Lansing Catholic since pulling out the win over the conference rival. The Cougars went on to capture their first district championship since 2010 by defeating Leslie, 6-0, and they opened the regional tournament with a 2-0 win over No. 9-ranked Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard.

Lansing Catholic will face No. 6-ranked Grosse Ile at 6 p.m. today for the regional championship. Collard said the Cougars are confident that they can continue their push into the state tournament.

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing,” he added. We play to the level of our opponent, and the better they are, the better we are. If we stick to our gameplan and the way we’ve been playing lately, I don’t see any reason why we should lose.”

Lansing Catholic advances to D3 regional championship game

LSJ athlete of the week: Mason’s Cecilia Stalzer

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Vote for the LSJ high school video of the week.

With high school sports across the state knee-deep in the knockout stage of the season, Lansing-area athletes are doing what they can to help their teams reach the ultimate goal of a state championship.

From a game-winning goal in a regional championship soccer match to a touchdown in a playoff-opening win, many plays last week helped area programs continue postseason runs, but only one can be voted as the State Journal’s high school video of the week.

Watch and vote below for the video you feel is most deserving of the weekly award. A story on the play will be posted on LSJ.com later in the week.

Vote for LSJ athlete of week: Oct. 24-29

Videos can be best submitted weekly until 5 p.m. Sunday using the Twitter hashtag #LSJVOW or emailed to James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Each week we’ll select the best videos and post them online for public voting.

Videos can be of any high school event: A great play from any sport, a pep rally, a matching band performance, someone being honored or a team choreographed dance at practice. If you find it interesting, we want to see it.

This summer, we’ll chose 10 of the best videos from the entire school year and ask you to vote on the video of the year. The winner will be recognized at the Lansing State Journal Greater Lansing Sports Awards banquet.

(Note: The poll to vote is at the bottom.)

SABRI FAIR, EAST LANSING: The senior scored the lone goal in the Trojans’ 1-0 victory over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern for the Division 1 regional championship.

DAVE DUMOND, CORUNNA: Dumond scored a 39-yard touchdown in last week’s 48-14 district-opening win over Croswell-Lexington.

View video “Croswell-Lexington High School”

JACK GONZALEZ, LANSING CATHOLIC: Gonzalez scored the Cougars’ opening goal in last week’s Division 3 regional semifinals victory over Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard.

Vote for the LSJ high school video of the week: Oct. 24-29

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Division 2 No. 1-ranked East Lansing fell to No. 11-ranked Mattawan, 2-0, in the state semifinals at Grand Rapids Christian High School Wednesday night.

GRAND RAPIDS – After a one-year hiatus from the state championship game, the East Lansing boys soccer team had been on a mission to get back to the sport’s final weekend since its season ended in the regional final a year ago.

The Division 2 No. 1-ranked Trojans were knocking on the door Wednesday night, as the only thing standing between them and the opportunity to capture their third state title in four season was Mattawan, a program which, too, had unfinished business after losing in the state semifinals last season.

East Lansing will have to wait at least one more year.

The Trojans fell to the No. 11-ranked Wildcats, 2-0, in the state semifinals at Grand Rapids Christian High School.

“It definitely stings,” senior midfielder Joe Draheim said. “Knowing that we were so close but didn’t get the job done today … I’m just really proud of our team and what we were able to accomplish this season.”

The two goals East Lansing conceded Wednesday night was the first time the program had given up more than one goal in a match all postseason. The Trojans only gave up four goals total during their quest to get back to the state title game.

After the first 33 minutes of play favored East Lansing, it was Mattawan’s Evan Marquess who scored the game’s opening goal. His shot from near the outskirts of the 18-yard box just beat the outstretched arms of Trojan goalkeeper Elijah Sheridan.

Mattawan was able to tack onto its lead halfway through the second half when senior forward Jarrett Hageman capitalized off his team’s set piece after a foul on East Lansing.

“I knew we had the potential and the ability to come back from a deficit, so I had absolute faith in them,” said Sheridan, a junior, who started the last two games in net for the Trojans. “I knew the game was never over until the final whistle blew.

“You can’t lower your effort just because they got a second goal. There was plenty of time left.”

East Lansing was creeping close to goal late in the contest, most notably when a Trojan goal was negated after a whistle for a hand-ball with 18:32 remaining. East Lansing nearly scored again after a run and pass from defender Logan Reynolds found the foot of Sabri Fair in the box, but the senior’s shot was just wide of the goal.

Outside of the 18-yard box, the Trojans were able to work the ball around and put themselves in position for a score. However, the Wildcats’ back line was stout in denying any opportunities close to goal.

“I think we just overthought it and tried to do too much by ourselves,” senior midfielder Brady Carlson said. “They really just clogged the middle, and we couldn’t get any shots off.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

HOWELL – Gus Flores wasn’t quite sure how the puzzle pieces would come together for his Lansing Catholic boys soccer team this season.

Lansing Catholic Boys Soccer Head Coach Gus Flores hugs his goalie Matthew Benivegna as they leave the pitch after their Division 3 state semifinal loss to Flint Powers Wednesday November 2, 2016 at Parker Middle School in Howell.

Grant Cotter of Lansing Catholic reacts as time expires in the Cougars’ 1-0 Division 3 state semifinal loss to Flint Powers Wednesday November 2, 2016 at Parker Middle School in Howell.

Lansing Catholic goalie Matthew Benivegna ,bottom, moves to stop a Flint Powers shot on goal with under 3 minutes remaining in the 1st half of their Division 3 state semifinal game Wednesday November 2, 2016 at Parker Middle School in Howell. The ball would bounce off his hands allowing Mason Smith of Powers to kick the ball in for the game winning score.

Matthew Plaehn ,18, of Lansing Catholic heads the ball just over the Flint Powers goal late in the 2nd half of their Division 3 state semifinal game Wednesday in Howell.

But he was confident his squad, loaded with seniors, could put something special together.

And they found a rhythm and did just that.

The Division 3 No. 13-ranked Cougars made some noise during a state tournament run that featured victories over three higher ranked teams. But that journey came to an end Wednesday with a 1-0 setback to No. 4-ranked Flint Powers Catholic in a state semifinal at Howell Parker Middle School.

“It’s a difficult situation, especially since we have so many seniors and so many years of work that got us here,” Flores said. “I told the boys that they should be proud. No one would have anticipated us to even get out of the districts, and here we are one of the four teams playing in Division 3. They should be very, very proud.”

Lansing Catholic navigated a path that featured tests against No. 5 Williamston in the district and games against No. 9 Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and No. 6 Grosse Ile in the regional to make its deepest run in the tournament since finishing as the state runner-up in 2010.

And navigating that tough road made the accomplishments of this group special for Flores.

“They are a wonderful group and they will be truly missed,” Flores said.

“I can’t tell you how proud and how emotional I am about the pride I have for these gentlemen.”

Flint Powers scored the lone goal late in the first half to earn a shot at a state title. The Chargers had generated a few scoring chances late in the opening half and came through with 2:30 remaining on a goal by junior midfielder Mason Smith.

Lansing Catholic had its chances to answer, especially over the final 20 minutes of the contest. The Cougars couldn’t convert the equalizer as their strong tournament run ended.

“There were opportunities for us to tie it up,” Flores said. “We did not close the opportunities down. That’s what even hurts a little bit more. We had open goals. We should have been able to put it in. Hats off to Powers. They fought valiantly and they’re deserved winners. We hope they do well on Saturday.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

East Lansing’s Nick Isham, left, and DeWitt’s Dylan Beck tangle in the D2 District Final Saturday, October 22, 2016. East Lansing won 2-1.

DEWITT – In his team’s first meeting this season with the DeWitt Panthers, East Lansing senior Sam Lebbie was a bit uneasy.

In the end, the Trojans came out on top, but it took two 10-minutes periods of extra time and a penalty-kick shootout for Division 2’s No. 1-ranked team to pull out the victory. Lebbie didn’t want to be on the edge Saturday afternoon when East Lansing took on DeWitt for the district title, so he did something about it.

The forward scored the game-winning goal early in the second half to propel the Trojans past the Panthers, 2-1, at DeWitt High School.

“I didn’t want this to go to (penalty kicks),” Lebbie said. “I really had to step up, and I was glad I made it happen.”

The win handed East Lansing its fifth district title in as many years. Trojan senior Alden Metzmaker said there is both outside and internal pressure that comes with being a part of such a successful program.

East Lansing, which finished third in the CAAC Blue this season, also captured the CAAC Gold Cup tournament trophy earlier this month. The Trojans will face Petoskey Tuesday at Mount Pleasant in the regional semifinals.

“People expect a lot out of us,” Metzmaker said. “We just have to deliver.”

Metzmaker delivered the game’s first goal less than five minutes into the match. The midfielder put away a goal right in front of the Panthers’ net to give his team early momentum.

“We haven’t started well in other games, and we’ve gone down and stayed down,” Metzmaker added. “I felt like we had to come out and get started early.”

Nearly 14 minutes after the Trojans took a 1-0 lead, DeWitt was able to grab the equalizer. Junior midfielder Zachary Rollis scored his 10th goal of the season with 21:16 left to play in the first half.

The Panthers almost jumped on the scoreboard just minutes before Rollis’ goal when Michael Averill’s 35-plus-yard free kick was pushed over the crossbar by Trojan keeper Scott Campbell.

The second half was all East Lansing, as the state’s top-ranked team created multiple scoring opportunities following Lebbie’s game-winning goal with 35:15 to play in the match. Josh Wolfinger had a shot that hit the crossbar with under 10 minutes to play, and Lebbie missed just wide on a header in front of the goal shortly after.

Rollis said he could feel the momentum shift in the second half.

“We were playing balls behind (the defense), but we still couldn’t create chances,” the junior said. “It wasn’t working like it did in the first half.”

Despite the loss, Rollis said he’s able to walk away from the season feeling good about what the Panthers were able to accomplish.

DeWitt, which lost multiple starters from last year’s team, tied for second in the CAAC Red and topped conference champs Haslett earlier this week for a chance to contend for the district championship.

“This was going to be a tough year, and we knew that,” Rollis added. “We put in so much work during the week – the only day we don’t practice is on Sunday.

“To be able to get this far was pretty nice.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Photos: East Lansing defeats DeWitt in district soccer final

East Lansing scores the game-winning goal against DeWitt in the D2 District Final Saturday, October 22, 2016. East Lansing won 2-1.

DeWitt’s Benjamin Schon, left, challenges East Lansing’s Quinton Hay for the ball in the D2 District Final Saturday, October 22, 2016. East Lansing won 2-1.

DeWitt goal keeper Chrisian Reisig makes a save against East Lansing in the D2 District Final Saturday, October 22, 2016.

A DeWitt corner kick gets headed away from the goal in second half play in the D2 District Final Saturday, October 22, 2016. East Lansing won 2-1.

East Lansing goal keeper Scott Campbell sends the ball downfield against DeWitt in the D2 District Final Saturday, October 22, 2016. East Lansing won 2-1.

Lansing Catholic’s Jack Gonzalez takes a shot against Williamston Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Lansing, Mich. Gonzalez’s goal opening against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard was voted as the State Journal’s high school video of the week.

It took Jack Gonzalez less than three minutes to make his mark in Lansing Catholic’s regional soccer semifinals victory over Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard last week.

A loose ball inside the opposing team’s 18-yard box found the foot of the sophomore within a matter of seconds, and he saw a sliver of hope as he let loose a shot that eventually found the back of the net. Gonzalez’s shot from just inside the box screamed past the Fighting Irish’s keeper and handed the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

The goal was voted as the State Journal’s high school video of the week.

“I thought I had to hit (the ball) right away,” said Gonzalez, who scored both goals in Lansing Catholic’s 2-0 victory that night. “I took a second, and I saw I had time to place it right.

“I felt like it was going in right after I hit it.”

The goal pushed No. 13-ranked Lansing Catholic onto the regional finals where it faced No. 6-ranked Grosse Ile. The Cougars topped the Red Devils and captured their first regional championship since 2010.

However, the quest to the state title game stopped for Gonzalez’s side in its following match, as Lansing Catholic fell to No. 4-ranked Flint Powers, 1-0, in the state semifinals. Gonzalez said the loss was tough to swallow, but it allowed him to put his team’s accomplishments in perspective.

“It was disappointing to lose like that, especially since we had so many chances,” he said. “Overall, when you step back and look at it, we were the second (Lansing Catholic) team to make it to the semifinals. That’s a pretty good run.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Javon Walker

Javon Walker turned in another big defensive performance for the Olivet College football team over the weekend.

And the Everett graduate’s performance helped the Comets claim a share of the MIAA football title.

Walker was selected the MIAA defensive player of the week after registering nine tackles and returning an interception 69 yards for the game’s opening score in a 44-37 win over Adrian on Saturday. The junior defensive back has 47 tackles, three interceptions, 10 pass break-ups and a forced fumble this fall for Olivet (8-1).

HOPE COLLEGE: Eaton Rapids native Elizabeth Perkins (Lansing Christian) was named the MIAA women’s soccer most valuable player after helping the Flying Dutch to regular season and conference tournament titles. Perkins is the fourth Hope women’s soccer to earn league MVP honors. The senior forwad has a school-record 25 goals this fall, which is tied for the most in Division III entering the NCAA tournament. Perkins had 19 goals during the 16-game MIAA schedule, which is the sixth-most in league history.

Tara Lierman

GRAND VALLEY: Sophomore midfielder Tara Lierman (Holt) was named to the GLIAC all-tournament team after helping the No. 2 Laker women’s soccer team win the conference tournament for the 10th straight season. Lierman had a pair of assists in Grand Valley’s 5-0 win over Michigan Tech in the championship game. Lierman has three goals and seven assists for the Lakers, who enter the Division II NCAA tournament with a 19-1-1 record.

Junior tennis player Abby Perkins (Mason) recently earned All-GLIAC honorable mention honors after going 17-2 at No. 3 doubles and 7-6 at No. 3 singles.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN: Senior quarterback Cooper Rush (Lansing Catholic) ranks second all-time in Mid-American Conference history in career passing yards. Rush took over the No. 2 spot after throwing for 242 yards in a loss to Miami (Ohio) on Friday. He has 12,129 career passing yards, which ranks second in league history behind former CMU standout Dan LeFevour. The MAC record for passing yards set by LeFevour from 2006-09 is 12,905 yards.

FERRIS STATE: Freshman goalkeeper Grace Kraft (Williamston) was named second team All-GLIAC in women’s soccer. Kraft went 6-4-4 in net this fall and had a single-season school record nine shutouts. She had a 0.78 goals against average and a .890 save percentage.

SIENA HEIGHTS: Quarterback Lucas Barner Jr. (Everett) completed 27 of 38 passes for 267 yards for the Saints in their 16-13 road loss to Trinity International (Ill.) on Saturday. Barner has passed for 1,546 yards and 10 touchdowns this fall for the Saints (5-4).

CALVIN COLLEGE: Senior defender Jay Noyola (Lansing Christian) and midfielder David Waterson (DeWitt) were named second team All-MIAA in men’s soccer for the second straight season. Noyola has a pair of goals this fall and has played a key part in 11 shutout wins for Calvin. Waterson had two assists in league play and contributed to the Knights’ strong defensive play.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN: Junior defender Ally Milam (Williamston) was selected honorable mention All-GLIAC in women’s soccer. She had two goals while making 17 starts for the Wildcats.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

Meet the 2016 LSJ boys soccer Dream Team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Sam Lebbie (East Lansing sr., F): The senior forward was one of the Trojans’ top goal scorers and helped his team reach the Division 2 state semifinals. Lebbie was a Division 2 first-team all-state and CAAC Blue all-conference pick.

Nick Isham (East Lansing sr., D): Isham was a defensive anchor for No. 1-ranked East Lansing and was a part of a back line that conceded only four goals during the postseason. He was a Division 2 first-team all-state pick and a CAAC Blue all-conference selection.

Blaine Teahan (Grand Ledge sr., GK): The senior goalkeeper recorded 10 shutouts this season and helped Grand Ledge go undefeated during the regular season. Teahan, who conceded only five goals in 12 regular season games, was a Division 1 honorable mention all-state and CAAC Blue all-conference selection.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Gustavo Flores (Lansing Catholic): Flores led the Cougars to their first Division 3 regional championship since 2010.

LSJ BOYS SOCCER DREAM TEAM

Lirim Shefkiu (Mason sr., D): Division 2 first-team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Remy Collard (Lansing Catholic sr., M): Division 3 first-team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Ben Meschke (Okemos sr., M): Division 1 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Blue all-conference

Chuck Plaehn (Lansing Catholic sr., F): Division 3 second-team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Dylan Beck (DeWitt sr., M): Division 2 third-team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Kyle Salisbury (Grand Ledge sr., F): Division 1 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Blue all-conference

Brian Coscarelli (Haslett sr., M): Division 2 third-team all-state, CAAC Blue all-conference

Noah Usiak (Lansing Christian sr., M): Division 4 first-team all-state, GLAC first-team all-conference

Drew Person (East Lansing sr., D): CAAC Blue all-conference

DIVISION 1 ALL-AREA

Brendan Garfield (Grand Ledge sr., D): CAAC Blue all-conference

Owen Cannon (Okemos sr., M): Division 1 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Blue all-conference

Patrick Restum (Okemos jr., GK): Division 1 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Blue all-conference

Erik Seelman (Grand Ledge sr., M): CAAC Blue all-conference

Josh Rosendale (Holt sr., M): CAAC Blue all-conference

Parker Fitzgerald (Grand Ledge sr., D): CAAC Blue all-conference

Aric Phinney (Grand Ledge jr., M): CAAC Blue all-conference

Vince Plascencia (Okemos sr., D): CAAC Blue all-conference

Talon Christensen (Okemos sr., M): CAAC Blue all-conference

Kody Akers (Holt jr., D): CAAC Blue all-conference

Coach: Scott M. Dane (Grand Ledge)

DIVISION 2 ALL-AREA

Quinton Hay (East Lansing sr., F): Division 2 third-team all-state, CAAC Blue all-conference

Nick Hitchens (St. Johns jr., F): Division 2 third-team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Zachary Rollis (DeWitt jr., F): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Josh Wolfinger (East Lansing sr., M): Division 2 honorable mention all-state

Andy Vahng (Haslett jr., F): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Tristan Pease (Mason jr., D): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Alden Metzmaker (East Lansing jr., F): CAAC Blue all-conference

Gideon Ciza (Eastern sr., M): CAAC Blue all-conference

Fadil Abdul Rahman (Charlotte jr., F)

Nathan Westerlund (Haslett jr., GK): CAAC Red all-conference

Mike Averill (DeWitt sr., D): CAAC Red all-conference

Bailey Edwards (Fowlerville sr., F): CAAC White all-conference

Coach: Nick Archer (East Lansing)

DIVISION 3 ALL-AREA

Zachary Jewison (Williamston jr., M): Division 3 second-team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Jack Gonzalez (Lansing Catholic so., M): Division 3 third-team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Eli Richardson (Williamston jr., F): Division 3 third-team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Liam Maslovich (Alma jr., F): Division 3 honorable mention all-state

Alex Scott (Williamston jr., D): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Ben Ransom (Laingsburg jr., M): Division 3 honorable mention all-state

Matthew Benivegna (Lansing Catholic so., GK): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Robert Ramirez (Lansing Catholic sr., D): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, CAAC all-conference

Andrew Cowan (Leslie sr., M): Division 3 honorable mention all-state

Koby Lee (Ithaca sr., F): TVC West all-conference

Chris Zruna (Ovid-Elsie so., F): Division 3 honorable mention all-state

Tate Dziewiatkowski (Portland so., F): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Buddy Douglas (Perry sr., F)

Pleh Reh (Sexton sr., F)

Coach: Brent Sorg (Williamston)

DIVISION 4 ALL-AREA

Daniel Hartman (Dansville sr., F): Division 4 third-team all-state

Preston Granger (Lansing Christian sr., D): Division 4 third-team all-state, GLAC first-team all-conference

Andrew Witchell (Dansville jr., D): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Jack Gillespie (Lansing Christian sr., GK): Division 4 honorable mention all-state, GLAC first-team all-conference

Nick Jamieson (Lansing Christian sr., F): Division 4 honorable mention all-state, GLAC first-team all-conference

Bryan Mains (Lansing Christian so., M): Division 4 honorable mention all-state, GLAC second-team all-conference

Adrian Schmidt (Dansville jr., D)

Coach: Ethan Felsing (Dansville)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meet the 2016 LSJ boys soccer Dream Team.

Kyle Salisbury

Noah Usiak

Ben Meschke

Dylan Beck

Remy Collard

Chuck Plaehn

Nick Isham

Drew Person

Brian Coscarelli

Lirim Shefkiu

Blaine Teahan

Sam Lebbie

Vote for the LSJ team of the month

The DeWitt volleyball team took home inaugural Lansing State Journal team of the month honors in September.

The following teams had strong showings in October and are in the running to be the latest team of the month winner.

Voting is open until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Refresh browser if poll doesn’t immediately appear.

LAKEWOOD FOOTBALL: The Vikings had a successful October as they wrapped up the outright GLAC title and also made school history by winning a playoff game for the first time. Lakewood opened the month with a win over Leslie to finish their GLAC schedule unbeaten for a second consecutive season. The Vikings closed October with a 38-32 home win over Battle Creek Pennfield, which marked the first playoff win in school history.

LANSING CATHOLIC SOCCER: The Cougars put together a strong final chapter to their season with a successful run during the Division 3 state tournament. Lansing Catholic won district and regional championships and knocked off three teams ranked in the top-10 during their tournament run. The ranked teams the Cougars knocked off were Williamston in the district and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and Grosse Ile in the regional.

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: The Pirates capped a successful month of October by capturing a Division 4 regional title behind freshman Aubrey George. The Prates also won the small school portion of the Alma College Scottie Classic, a pair of CMAC jamborees and an event at Saranac.

WEBBERVILLE VOLLEYBALL: The Spartans overcame tragedy to capture their first conference championship since 1988. Webberville went 9-1 in the GAC Blue and wrapped up the championship with wins over Flint Beecher and Burton Bentley. Those victories came after losing key player Savannah Tennant, who was seriously injured in a car accident.

Coach’s competitive edge has DeWitt volleyball in midst of stellar season

WILLIAMSTON – In 2010, Lansing Catholic boys soccer coach Gus Flores took over a program that possessed everything a first-year coach could ask for. It was a senior-laden group that, as a collective, scrapped and clawed their way to the Division 3 state championship game.

Mattjew Benivegna ,right, Lansing Catholic goalie slides to block a shot on goal by Brenden Cupchak ,13, of Gabriel Richard late in the 1st half of their Division 3 regional quarterfinal game Tuesday October 25, 2016 in Williamston. The ball would pop oer Benivegna and give Juan Sancho of Gabriel Richard a wide open net but the ball would miss wide right. KEVIN W. FOWLER PHOTO

Seven seasons later, Flores is coaching another veteran cast that, too, has some fight in them, and he’s hoping the intangibles can help his program get another crack at a state title.

So far, so good.

The Cougars will advance to a Division 3 regional championship game after defeating No. 9-ranked Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 2-0, Tuesday night in the regional semifinals at Williamston High School.

Lansing Catholic goalie Matthew Benivegna ,right, grabs the ball after a Gabriel Richard corner kick came close to scoring late in the 2nd half of their Division 3 regional quarterfinal game Tuesday October 25, 2016 in Williamston. KEVIN W. FOWLER PHOTO

“This group is the same as (2010),” Flores said. “We have seniors that have four years of experience, desire, hard work. ….I don’t like to say it, but there are similarities.

“Two weeks ago, we said this was the start of the season, and we wanted to make sure that when we stepped on the field that we gave everything that we have. The boys just continue to work hard.”

The victory handed No. 13-ranked Lansing Catholic its second top-10 win of the postseason, as the Cougars defeated No. 5-ranked Williamston in the district opener last week.

Senior forward Chuck Plaehn said his squad has felt like a top-tier team all season and has set out to prove so in the final weeks.

“We always felt like we were in the same place as Williamston and Gabriel Richard, even though the rankings didn’t say so,” Plaehn said. “Our coach always tells us that we’re capable of playing any team, and this just helps us gain confidence heading into (the championship).”

The match started with a Jack Gonzalez goal, and it ended that way, too.

Gonzalez scored his first goal less than three minutes into the game. After a free kick from senior Remy Collard bounced around in the box, the sophomore ripped a shot to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Gonzalez converted on the final goal after a nifty pass from Sam Gonzalez glided across the box and put him in prime position to bury a shot right in front of net with 1:43 left to play.

“We all knew we had the skills, but to put it away like that, we’ve been looking for that all season,” Jack Gonzalez said.

Lansing Catholic will face No. 6-ranked Grosse Ile at 6 p.m. Friday for the regional championship.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Jack Gonzalez ,left, of Lansing Catholic dribbles around Tom Holowicki of Gabriel Richard during their Division 3 regional quarterfinal game Tuesday October 25, 2016 in Williamston. Gonzalez would score both Cougar goals in the game. KEVIN W. FOWLER PHOTO

DELTA TWP. – Alisia Smith has been playing basketball most of her life, but it wasn’t always her main interest.

Cheerleading, soccer and track were the other activities that appealed to the Waverly High School senior. Those were pushed aside in seventh grade when she made basketball a bigger focus.

That proved to be the right decision. Smith will continue to play the sport in college at Penn State. She signed with the Nittany Lions on Tuesday afternoon in front of family and friends during a ceremony at her school.

“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for so long,” Smith said. “Now that it’s true, it’s just a good experience.”

Smith averaged just under 17 points and eight rebounds last winter for the Warriors. Second-year Waverly coach John Schweitzer sees a bright future for his star forward in the Big Ten.

“Talking to (Penn State) coaches, they see that her best basketball is ahead of her,” Schweitzer said. “She’s got a lot of potential. She’s grown not just figuratively as a young student athlete, but also literally. She’s almost 6-foot-3 now.

“She’s going to be a stretch girl for them. They like to run and get up and down the court, and she’s great at that. I think it’s a really good fit. She’s a really good person and raised by a really good family. Penn State was very concerned about that. They put that as a high priority.”

Waverly senior Alisia Smith, center, poses for a picture with family after signing her letter of intent to play basketball at Penn State.

With her future at Penn State now official, Smith is turning her attention towards her senior season. She said there is unfinished business to take care of on the court. She is hungry to help Waverly build off last season, which ended with a loss in a Class A district championship game.

“We have a really good team this year,” Smith said. “I think we will make it past districts this year, and I think we have a chance to make it to the Breslin. We all work hard in practice, and we have a good attitude about it. I feel like we can go pretty far in districts and just basketball in general.”

Schweitzer also is excited about what could be in store this season for his team with a big piece back in Smith.

“We know that it’s going to be a special season regardless of the end result,” Schweitzer said. “We’re happy that we’ve got a dedicated bunch that really is a tight-knit group. We’re excited. We’re looking to compete for our conference this year and make some noise in the district. We know that the winner pretty much every year in our district is successful in the rest of the tournament. Those are our goals right now.”